Former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello was, on Friday evening, released from the Kuje Custodial Centre after meeting the bail conditions set by the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja.
Spokesperson for the Nigerian Correctional Service, FCT Command, Adamu Duza, confirmed the development.
According to Duza, “Yahaya Bello has been released after meeting the bail conditions. He was released this evening (Friday).
“The Controller of NCoS FCT, Ajibogun Olatubosun, was on the ground to ensure his smooth release and that all protocols were observed.”
On Thursday, Justice Maryanne Anenih granted Bello bail in the sum of N500m.
The bail conditions included providing three sureties, each owning property in select high-value areas of Abuja, such as Maitama, Guzape, or Asokoro.
Justice Anenih also ordered Bello to surrender his passport and restricted his travel outside Nigeria without prior permission.
The former governor, along with Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalam Hudu, faces a 16-count charge of conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and unlawful possession of property, brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
All three have pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The Court had rejected Bello’s initial bail application on procedural grounds but granted bail to his co-defendants.
But on Thursday, Bello’s fresh application was approved, resulting in his release on Friday.